In Alaska, the summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin marked a stark contrast in sentiments, especially for those in Ukraine grappling with the consequences of the war. Initially, the prospect of significant concessions from Trump to Putin left many Ukrainians uneasy. However, as the summit unfolded with no substantial agreements, residents shifted their focus to the unsettling optics of the event.
Putin, whose aggressions have led to widespread devastation in Ukraine, received an overtly cordial welcome. American soldiers ceremoniously rolled out a red carpet as Trump enthusiastically applauded and embraced the Russian leader. Their journey in the presidential limousine was accompanied by cheers and laughter, embedding an image of unity that many in Ukraine found painful.
Maria Drachova, a lawyer from Kyiv, highlighted the irrationality of welcoming a figure so closely linked to the death and suffering in Ukraine. “This level of ceremony should not have happened for an aggressor responsible for millions of deaths,” she stated. Observers in Ukraine condemned the summit as a normalization of Putin's actions, with writer Oleksandr Kovalenko declaring it a "legitimization of a war criminal."
As Trump and Putin conducted their discussions, tensions arose among Ukrainians who were hyper-aware of the grim realities represented by the summit's proceedings. Post-summit, Trump’s deference to Putin in front of the media, allowing the Russian leader to speak first and avoiding questions about the war, fueled outrage. “It portrayed a massive victory for Putin even before he stepped off the plane,” commented Kier Giles, a senior fellow at Chatham House.
Despite the lack of concrete outcomes from the talks, the symbolism of Putin being welcomed with such hospitality has the potential to embolden his stance against Ukraine further. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will soon return to Washington with hopes of influencing American leaders to maintain pressure on Russia rather than acquiescing to its demands. Kovalenko succinctly noted, “Pomp and ceremony for President Putin should not be among the tools of diplomacy,” underscoring a desire for genuine support rather than superficial gestures.
As Ukrainians watch the international political landscape unfold, their call for dignity in the face of aggression remains loud and clear, reflecting both a demand for justice and for acknowledgment of their ongoing struggle.
